The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens

June 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

RYDER
The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens
Publisher: Avon: Harper Collins Publishers
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (340 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Lady Mary has been waiting years for this opportunity. Not that her sister has thrown off her spinster ways and become betrothed, it’s finally Mary’s chance for true love. She knows exactly who she wants –and it’s not someone as wild, unmanageable, and sinfully seductive as Ryder Cavanaugh.

Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne, had never met a woman who wouldn’t happily fall at his feet–or into his bed…until Lady Mary Cynster. But Ryder has made some decisiosn abotu his life and he’ll only succeed at being the man he wants to be with Mary by his side. And convincing her of that fact is just the kind of challenge he thrills at…

I just knew by the end of page one that this was going to be a fun read—it was and so much more.

The coming together of two strong personalities, the tussle for control with love quietly manipulating both of them, and outside forces plotting against them make this story a page-turner. Plus the eloquent writing style of Stephanie Laurens makes it a delight to read.

Mary Alice Cynster knows Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne, has a will stronger than hers—not good husband material. She long ago determined to be in charge of her own life. Every Cynster male can vouch for her tenacity and bossiness even though she’s the youngest of the Cynster siblings. Now that she wears the Catriona necklace that has helped each of the other Cynster girls find their “true mate”, Mary is on the prowl for hers. She has her list of possibilities and the lion-like Ryder with the green/gold eyes, sinful smile, and sensual charm that oozes from his pores is NOT one of them. She has her sights set on his half-brother Randolph. He just might be the one.

Majority of renowned pharmacies having online drugs stores which tadalafil 10mg uk are facilitating customers with cheapest as well as effect treating alternatives then it is erection-enhancing medicines. Like in oral treatment this type of treatment is the humiliation. soft cialis http://respitecaresa.org/event/valero-texas-open-birdies-charity-2/ Men with erectile dysfunction are more likely to suffer from impotence at some point in their lives, but cheap cialis pills this condition can become a concern if it occurs frequently. lowest priced viagra And it’s aging, with it’s need to pay attention to what we are going that can give us the gift of living in the moment. Ryder knows Mary would scare young Randolph to death. Ryder’s always been protective of his half-siblings, so he thwarts Mary’s pursuit. His inner predator delights in the elemental battle as he quietly stalks her. She is “pure challenge”. When he sees her instincts tell her to flee rather than fight him, he watches her cast a wider net in her husband search. Now he is always close to protect her. Mary considers him a “pest”, but waltzing with him is magical

When the tables turn and death threatens Ryder, Mary protects him like a lioness. All her strong-willed ways and her years of training to manage a large household make her a formidable force that nobody questions.

Lavinia, Ryder’s step-mother, is a pain in the neck working her way down. Her mindset and determination as to how Ryder and her own children should fall in line and do as she wants creates untenable conditions. The back story of Ryder and his family is enthralling.

Mary’s family, so different from Ryder’s, gives one a feeling of permanency. Monarchs and politicians wax and wane but families go on forever as far as the Cynster clan is concerned.

The tone of the story changes when Mary disappears and Ryder has to face the horror of the possibilities of what has happened to her and what life would be without her. Fears make heart-pounding scenes as an all out search is made for her.

How Ms. Laurens weaves an intriguing plot with an undercurrent of malicious secret doings, while entertaining with the ebb and flow of the hero and heroine’s struggle for supremacy makes spellbinding reading and keeps the senses on full alert. How she leaves the reader feeling that both Mary and Ryder lose nothing and gain much in their coming together is remarkable.

The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh sparkles with humor, entices with nefarious doings, and enchants with love scenes that up the blood pressure and take one’s breath away. This is a spirit-lifting, beautifully written happy-ever-after love story to enjoy reading more than once.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Killer’s Diary by Brian Pinkerton

June 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

KILLER
Killer’s Diary by Brian Pinkerton
Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Horror, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (243 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Daisy

The more she reads, the less she wants to know.

A murderer is stalking the Windy City, carving out the eyes of his victims as grisly souvenirs. When shy Ellen Gordon finds a diary left behind in a coffee shop, she can’t keep from reading it. And when she meets the author in person, he’s just as charming as his writing. Only when she reads further does she find clues to the identity of Chicago’s terrifying serial killer. Could it be the author, himself? Ellen will have to uncover the truth about her new boyfriend quickly if she doesn’t want to become the killer’s next victim.

Killer’s Diary does not just focus on serial killers but the reasons behind murder, the underbelly of society and the dark philosophy underneath abusive childhoods. There is a question of morality to be answered: is ‘God or the devil’ behind murder? Of course, there is a mysterious killer and the usual ‘is-it-isn’t-it’ murder plot, too.

The novel is well paced, following Ellen’s new relationship and her quick reading of the diary, but speeds up as events occur closer together.
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Pinkerton has a great control of language and apt use of metaphor, in particular a brilliant philosophical passage where the human body is described as a ‘sponge’ which can only take so much bad before it squeezes itself out to become clean, sullying others in the process. This reflects the structure of the novel and its conclusion, providing a motive for murder which is understandable to us all.

This is not a novel where there is a villain and an angel. This is a novel where ‘bad’ is made by bad and the reader must form their own conclusions as to whether evil is born or made and whether these individuals can be blamed for their actions, or not.

The mind of a killer is delved into in great detail and shown through blunt statements as well as subtle sentence structure. For example, page eight contains thirteen sentences beginning with ‘He’ within a passage voiced by a killer. This does provide the intended manic list of things, symbolic of a confused mind. However, it is also one of the only places in the novel I feel Pinkerton overdid his art. Five or six repetitions would have the intended effect but thirteen is too repetitive.

The only other slip from near perfect prose is a slight tendency towards melodrama; a character defies realism by stating ‘let me hear your death scream’. Despite being creepy, this comment has the tone of a cartoon or movie as opposed to something written in a killer’s personal diary; it jolts. However, this statement could have been planned to feel false in order to implant doubt and continue the is-it-isn’t-it story line.

Perhaps to off-set the deeply engrained, dark tone and subject matter of the novel, murder and morals is not the only insight into human behaviour. Alongside this underbelly of humanity there is hope, a possible relationship and a reconstruction of life after its abusive beginning. Pinkerton’s novel is a skilled investigation into the two strands bad childhoods can take: irreversible psychological damage, leading to physical harm, or a long reconstruction which can result in a positive direction. It is a carefully structured capsule of the human need to inflict pain or to heal and, just like human nature, the novel surprises.

Filed Under: Horror, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

All Out of Love by Lori Wilde

June 12, 2013 By 1 Comment

LOVE
All Out of Love by Lori Wilde
Publisher: Avon: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (226 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Welcome to Cupid, where every wish for love comes true…

For years, a small group of women in Cupid, TX, led by Millie Greenway, have taken it upon themselves to keep the Cupid legend alive. Now Millie has roped her four disbelieving granddaughters into joining the cause.

Lace Bettingfield knows for a fact that the Cupid legend is bogus. As a shy sixteen-year-old, she left a letter at the statue and got nothing in return but heaps of embarassment when her letter ended up printed in the school newspaper. But now the boy she longed for is back in town and Lace can’t help wondering…what if?

Ah, yes! This one brings back memories of high school years and the emotional growing pains that went along with them.
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Lace Bettingfield well remembers the vicious teasing and trauma of falling in love with an ‘older’ boy, who was the football hero and sought after by all the girls. As time passes, she realizes her bad time in high school has an upside. It toughened her, made her strong and resilient. She’d conquered her stutter, lost weight and gained it back because she chose to. She is now healthy and knows who she is and is comfortable in her own skin. Moreover, she has earned a Ph.D. in plant science and is back in Cupid, Texas doing what she loves to do. She is in charge of the Botanical Gardens where the box for “Letters to Cupid” is located. She loves the arid Trans-Pecos area of Texas where it takes toughness for people and plants alike to survive.

When Pierce Hollister, the Cowboys quarterback who is sidelined with a broken leg, returns to Cupid to see his father and brother Malcolm, all the long-ago high school hoopla surfaces as Lace’s extended family and friends recall and elaborate on every painful moment Lace lived through back then.

Somewhere along the way from high school to becoming a pro, Pierce bought into his own press and now accepts the accolades and hero worship with equanimity. However, there is a niggling deep inside him that nags—will his leg ever heal so he can be at the top of his game like he had been before? He is Cupid’s local celebrity and his father’s favorite son; a fact that makes for strained feeling between Pierce and his younger brother Malcolm. Their relationship makes an attention-getting side story.

When Piece sees the grownup Lace, his old friend’s little sister that was off-limits to him in high school because of that unspoken male code of ‘don’t hit on your friend’s sister’. Now that the code no longer applies, he turns on the charm which Lace vows to ignore. As the ‘mating dance’ ebbs and flows with all the people of Cupid putting in their two cents, the reader gets quite an emotional rollercoaster ride.

I struggled a little with the over abundance of secondary characters, but the sparkling metaphors, analogies, etc. make the reading delightful. Expressions like: “spunk of a chipmunk”, “you can’t push a river”, ‘wants to devour him like a starving hawk moth caterpillar devours a tomato plant”, eyes like blue gas flames”, “lit her up like a match to gasoline” and so many more show the reader so much about the action, the emotions and the characters. Also, the threads of humor, fun, illness, and long-lasting emotional wounds, along with that strong, enduring thread of love that generates some super love scenes make the design of this tale captivating. Good entertainment!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Jilted by Kelly Jamieson

June 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

JILTED
Jilted by Kelly Jamieson
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (230 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Quince

The wedding’s off but the honeymoon is on…

Promise Harbor Wedding, Book 1

Devon can do this. She can show up at her ex-boyfriend Josh’s wedding, even though he’s marrying her ex-best-friend. She can show everyone she’s happy with her fabulous life in Boston, her great career, her amazing shoes — and she can show everyone she’s over him.

Truth is, her life isn’t so fabulous. She’s just been downsized out of her job, her Jimmy Choos won’t pay her mortgage, and…she’s still heartbroken that Josh chose family over her. The real reason she’s enduring this wedding is that her next stop is nearby Greenbush Island, her last hope of finding a new job.

Josh knows marrying long-time friend Allie will make everyone happy after the rough time their families have been through, and since the woman he really wanted to marry chose her career and big city life over him—why not?

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Being jilted at the altar is not a fun thing, but to be married to your friend because you think that is the honorable thing to do is an even worst option. Josh should consider himself a lucky guy because his fiancée was literally taken away from the altar. If that had not happened, he would never have rediscovered his feelings for his ex-girlfriend Devon.

I am a sucker for second chance romances and I really enjoyed Jilted. Main and secondary characters are great. Josh is such a nice guy. He has this strong macho side (not to mention a great body and a sexy occupation – firefighter), but he is also someone a person can lean on. At times he is honorable, dependable, and wants to help his family – what’s not to like? But sometimes he does too much of that, much to his own detriment, especially with regards to his relationship with Devon.

Devon is also great character and deeply wounded. Her mother left her when she was girl and that had grave consequences on her. She does not show her feelings easily and she likes to pretend that everything is fine. For that reason her relationships, both with her father and Josh, are on pretty shaky ground. But luckily at the end everything was resolved. Secondary characters complement the story and they gave the story a nice flavor. They also felt alive to me and I would really like to read about some of them in future books in this series.

Although the story focuses on Josh and Devon’s relationship, from their interaction with secondary characters it is obvious that not all issues will be resolved by the end of this particular book. The reason for that is because Jilted is a first book in the Promise Harbor Wedding series. Therefore, I hope that the issues not resolved in this story will be answered and resolved by the 4th book.

Unfortunately there was one the thing in the story that I found tedious. Devon was repeating one word over and over again as a catchphrase. If only the author could have downsized the repetitions by ten, the storytelling would have been much, much better. As it was, the repetition ruined me an enjoyment of reading a little bit.

Jilted is nice story and I am so happy that contemporary romance novels are still alive as a genre. I would happily recommend this book to all of my fellow contemporary romance fans.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands

June 11, 2013 By 1 Comment

BRIDE
An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Avon: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (234 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Annabel was about to take the veil to become a nun when her mother suddenly arrives at the Abbey to take her home… so that she can marry the Scottish laird who is betrothed to her runaway sister! She knows nothing about being a wife, nothing about how to run a household, and definitely nothing about the marriage bed!

But from the moment Ross MacKay sets eyes on Annabel, he is taken with his shy sweet bride… and the fact that she’s blessed with lush curves only makes him utter his own prayers of thanks. But when an enemy endangers her life, he’ll move the Highlands themselves to save her. For though Annabel’s not the bride he planned for, she’s the only woman he desires…

Captivating from page one, An English Bride in Scotland takes the reader on a vicarious experience from a nunnery to a castle in Scotland with a heroine that delights. This story sparkles with humor, pulsates with love, and abounds with loyalty, admiration and caring. It also has antagonists that create more than a little anxiety and ignite pure fury.

Never allowed to believe she lived up to expectations, Annabel was dumped at Elstow Abbey at age seven only to be snatched away fourteen years later to be used to fulfill a marriage contract. She is wed to Laird MacKay of Scotland in place of her older sister Kate who ran away with another man.

For fourteen years, Annabel’s only contact with anyone other than women has been Father Gerber, the abbey priest; so, to her, Ross MacKay is huge, a rough-looking wall of muscle with a spicy smell and a rumbling voice. Overwhelming!
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Ross, laird of the MacKay clan, has no great expectations about an English bride, but he will honor the contract made by his father years ago. He too is a little overwhelmed to see his bride-to-be is a five foot, curvy beauty with gorgeous teal eyes and midnight black, wavy hair. But he sees more than her beauty, he sees her anxiety, the fear in those beautiful eyes, and the tremble of her hands. Something deep inside him stirs and his protective mode kicks in.

Annabel’s uniqueness, curiosity, uncomplaining nature, and entertaining story telling endear her to the warriors traveling with Ross long before they reach MacKay Castle. Even though she does lots of foolish, outlandish things that create more than little trouble, these men are steadfast in their loyalty to her.

Other secondary characters like Seonag, the older woman at the castle who takes Annabel under her wing and gives her gentle care and guidance; Angus, the cook, that brings out a whole new facet of Annabel’s personality; and Jasper, the dog that had been Ross’s father’s are thankful for the new lady of the castle even if she doesn’t know what she is supposed to do.

Annabel’s family and how they figure into the story make shocking reading that whets one’s ire. Redeeming qualities seem to be altogether missing in them.

Best of all are the uninhibited love scenes. The humor, the caring, besotted but patient Ross, the untaught, responsive Annabel, and the breathtaking ecstasy, create euphoric wrinkles in time that make the mundane world and its worries fade away and let the lovers soar to their own ‘out-of-this-world’ place that is uniquely theirs.

An English Bride in Scotland is a ‘stay-up-late-to-finish’ story. Lynsay Sands is a fantastic teller of a tale with an easy writing style that lets the reader glide right along with the emotions and actions as if right there with the heroine and hero.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Highlander’s Desire by Margo Maguire

June 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

DESIRE
The Highlander’s Desire by Margo Maguire
Publisher: Avon Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pages)
Heat Leval: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Tulip

To escape the ghosts of his past, warrior Lachann MacMillan will forge his place in the world through battle and cunning. What he doesn’t count on is the passion of a lifetime . . .

For Lachann, safeguarding his clan comes before life, limb, and especially love. A political marriage in Kilgorra will ensure that MacMillan lands are protected; so much the better that his bride doesn’t stir his blood. But what of the intriguing woman who arouses so much more . . . and lives in the very castle where Lachann is to wed?

A nna MacIver is content to serve in her stepfather’s household despite the cruelty of her stepsister, Catriona. She has a sanctuary to which she can escape and no romantic notions to impede good sense . . . until Catriona’s intended bridegroom arrives in Kilgorra and shows Anna the meaning of desire. Now, with a clan’s future hanging in the balance, Anna and Lachann must decide if love is a risk worth taking . . .

The Highlander’s Desire was a lovely story that I really enjoyed reading. It’s an entertaining look into a Cinderella story that was just different enough to get in there and grab my attention and exciting enough to hold it until the end. The author had a lot of excitement going on in the story that had this reader feverishly turning those pages to find out what happened next.
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I loved Anna, our heroine in the story. She was very nice and looked out for everyone even though she was in a bad situation. She had a wicked step-sister that I most definitely had no love for. My only complaint about Anna was that I personally felt the girl should have snatched the hair out of that sister’s head and quit letting people walk all over her.

At first, maybe I didn’t like the hero so much. Lachann has had his heart broken in the past and this played a significant part in his story. Now he is done with love and ready to marry for gain. He’s making some bad choices that were a bit disconcerting to this reader. Yet, as I read on I started to see that he was just a misguided man. So being the romantic soul that I am, I started hoping this cynical man would find love. Hoping he would choose my heroine.

So Lachann and Anna try to fight their feelings but they can’t seem to resist each other. The sexual tension was intense and when they gave in that physical romance burned bright, even as it looked like Lachann might choose another. Readers beware, Ms. Maguire had me going there for a while. When it came, the ending was great, very romantic and sweet, and it was worth the wait.

I’m gonna run it down for you : There was some good suspense here that kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot was intriguing with some wonderful secondary characters that I’d be interested in reading about. The story had good continuity with the majority of events happening over a short period of time and also helping to keep my attention. The ending was great and I enjoyed how it happened. Maguire gave me a sweetly romantic happy ending that I adored.

A good story that I enjoyed reading. It’s bound to be a winner with lovers of Highland romance.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long

June 10, 2013 By 1 Comment

HAPPENED
It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long
Publisher: Avon: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (265 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

More than one beautiful woman’s hopes have been dashed on the rocky shoals of Jonathan Redmond’s heart. With his riveting good looks and Redmond wealth and power, the world is his oyster—until an ultimatum from his father and a chilling gypsy prophesy send him hurtling headlong toward a fate he’ll do anything to avoid: matrimony.

Intoxicating, elusive Thomasina de Ballesteros has the bloods of London at her feet. But none of them knows the real Tommy—the one with a shocking pedigree, a few too many secrets, and a healthy scorn for rakes like Jonathan.

She is everything Jonathan never wanted. But on one fateful midnight, he’s drawn into Tommy’s world of risk, danger…and a desire he’d never dreamed possible. And suddenly he’s re-thinking everything…including the possibility that succumbing to prophesy might just mean surrendering to love.

Colors are brighter and the champagne more effervescent when Thomasina de Ballisteros (Tommy) and Jonathan Redmond are together. Their joy when they are together, their rightness together, their unique understated way of communicating makes this hero and heroine scintillating companions to have a vicarious adventure with. They seem miles apart socially, but seem soul mates in inner needs. Jonathan has a rich family and position in London Society while Tommy has no one and survives by her instincts.
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Julie Anne Long describes the connection Jonathan and Tommy have with each other in exquisite style. It shines like a golden thread that enhances the complex tapestry of the story. Jonathan is the third son of the rich, but untitled Isaiah Redmond. Isaiah seems to feel he can manufacture happiness by bending his sons to do his dictates. The first two sons have disappointed so Jonathan feels the full impact of his father’s demand that he marriage appropriately by year’s end or be cut off completely from funds and family. Since Jonathan has the same acumen for business as his father, his ventures weave a muted but strong, secretive thread through the tapestry. Both his ordinary and extraordinary ventures add tension, humor at times, and hope to the story.

Jonathan’s unique personality emerges bit by piece as he does risky business with Klaus, a chromolithographer, and gets lured into Tommy’s clandestine dealings that deal with a segment of the dark side of life in London.

Pragmatic, resilient, indomitable, and wise to the exploitive ways of the elite Society of London Tommy uses her beauty and social skills to survive in Society and in the underbelly life of London. Her double life takes the reader into some situations that are heart-poundingly scary and some that are heartbreaking. The elite of Society exploit the disenfranchised poor , but every chance Tommy gets she exploits the wealthy, privileged of Society to help a cause she feels strongly about and often risks her life for. In spite of the edge she walks on most of the time, there is an undercurrent of humor that bubbles to the top quite often.

The Duke of Greyfolk and Isaiah Redmond are antagonists that unknowingly, in their hardness, help hone Tommy and Jonathan into strong, successful, socially conscious doers that make a difference for those who cannot help themselves. There are far too many secondary characters that help create remarkable side stories for me to mention them all, but Romulus Bean, the solicitor charged with selling Lancaster Cotton Mills is a winner as far as I’m concerned; Argosy, Jonathan’s friend and his influence with the betting that goes on at White’s is a delightful, worthwhile friend to have; Violet, Jonathan’s irrepressible sister shines in her ability to get the most out of life; “the-diamonds-of-the- first-water” that unknowingly help a unique business venture make Jonathan very rich represent a distinct and privileged part of London Society; all add a special facet to the story that make It Happened One Midnight a page turning, stay-up-late novel.

Ms. Long’s compelling writing is a joy to read. The figurative language, poignant symbolism, revealing metaphors, and sparkling humor bring the story to life. How she makes Tommy and Jonathan’s relationship evolve is riveting. The sizzling undercurrent that finally bubbles to the surface to create a love story about two equally strong personalities sends the heart racing. Ms. Long’s ability to weave in social issues, family tensions, fantastic love scenes, unconquerable humor is amazing. She builds a happy-ever-after not only for the hero and heroine, but also for many others. Most enjoyable reading!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Then, Again by Karen Stivali

June 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

THEN
Then, Again by Karen Stivali
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (233 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Sunflower

Sometimes you have to lose it all to find what you really need.

Photographer Kay Turner is dealt a double whammy when she flies home for her grandmother’s funeral to find her boyfriend with another woman. Now with two losses to mourn, she retreats to her newly inherited beach house to clear her head.

Everything at the beach is familiar: the sounds of the ocean, the scent of her grandmother’s perfume—and the irresistible smile of James Margolis. The man Kay spent her adolescence pining for is every bit as charming as she remembers.

James always thought of Kay as “a nice kid”, but he feels something very different for the woman she’s become. Especially when he asks if she’d be willing to part with some of her grandmother’s recipes for his new restaurant—and they wind up sharing much more than culinary secrets.
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But as their relationship deepens, Kay finds herself caught between the demands of her dream career as a travel photographer, and a chance for happiness with the one man she’s wanted for a lifetime.

A woman with a thriving career is about to learn life has its own plans, and things aren’t going to turn out the way she imagined at all….

Kay Turner is a small town girl gone big. She’s got a job she adores, which takes her on many travels, camera in hand. It isn’t until she comes home early that a few surprises are in store. You know how sometimes things get worse before they can get better? I find that saying to be true for Kay. Two hits in a row, and she’s on her way back to a place she considered a refuge, full of memories and at this point in time, they’re a little bittersweet. I like that Kay has to confront some things in her past in order to move on with her future. Coming back to town puts her face to face with a good friend from her past, James.

It seems James hasn’t forgotten about Kay. They used to be friends, although his true feelings had always been withheld. Now, James and Kay are free to explore the possibilities of what could be. But Kay’s situation is only temporary. Eventually, she’ll have to make a decision. I like James’ character. He’s a good guy, has had a few of his own problems in his past, but he’s a good friend to Kay, and would love to be more.

Their attraction starts of slow and then suddenly turns into a sizzling fire that’s hotter than fireworks. The pacing of the story is good, slow in a few areas, and while I enjoyed the sparks and attraction between Kay and James, I felt like there was a lot of extra sex as filler. I think the story could have been fleshed out a little more with a few less sex scenes. There’s a good build of conflict, as Kay struggles with what to do with the house that’s now up to her to work on, and James has a woman from his own past that keeps coming in and wanting favors from him.

I enjoy Ms. Stivali’s work, and while Then, Again isn’t my favorite read of this authors, it’s still a fun, sexy read that can be enjoyed by the pool side or any other time. Why not grab yourself a copy?

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Son of a Preacher Man by Arianna Hart

June 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

SON
Son of a Preacher Man by Arianna Hart
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (237 pages)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Sunflower

“Sometimes you have to go back to move forward. ”

Twelve years ago, Nadya Sarov and her mother fled Dale, Georgia, in the dead of night. Now she s back, but just long enough to tie up some loose ends. And if she gets a chance to flaunt her hard-won success to the town gossips who called her “gypsy whore,” all the better.

To her surprise, some memories die hard. Especially the hotter ones that still simmer for J.T. McBride, the preacher s son who was too honorable to take the virginity she offered all those years ago.

J.T. lost a big chunk of his innocence on the Iraqi front lines, and now that Nadya is once again close enough to touch, he doesn t plan on losing her again. But first he has to convince her that Dale isn t the mouth of hell she thinks she remembers.
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Just as their remembered passion begins to melt Nadya s resolve to get back to New York as soon as possible, someone with an old grudge makes it clear they ll do anything to see her gone. Permanently.

When you run, the last thing you ever want to do is look back. Or come back. Especially when coming back means facing those in the small town who wanted nothing more than to run you out.

Nadya was cast as an outsider. Both she and her gypsy mother. There weren’t many people in Dale, the little town they lived in when Nadya was growing up. Times haven’t changed, but circumstances have, and those are what bring Nadya back to her past. I easily connected with Nadya. I know first hand what it’s like to be looked down on, and so her feelings, her actions, I understood completely. She’s a strong woman and when she left Dale she made a great life for herself. She struggles with some of the folks in Dale when she comes back, but I have to say she handles things with grace and poise. She learns to forgive and forget, even when those same haters don’t want to. With the help of her best friend Mary Ellen, and sexy cop J.T. She might just find herself a few surprises…such as love.

Now J.T…I love him! He’s a sweetheart. He was the preacher’s son back then, ready to leave Dale and never look back. Well, guess who’s now a police officer in Dale. Yup, J.T. He’s one of the few that’s very happy to see Nadya back. He’s always cared about her, and they shared something the summer before she was run off, and he’s never been able to get her out of his mind. J.T. is a fierce protector. Let’s just say if someone were messing with me I’d want him in my corner. I love his tenderness with Nayda.

This is a well written story that grabbed my attention right away. I love the chemistry between J.T. And Nadya, and throughout the story, they were certainly a couple to root for. I’d hoped that they could find themselves a happily ever after without all the drama from the towns people. The pacing of the story is great, snappy, fun dialog and well rounded characters.

This was my first read by this author and it won’t be my last. I adored this book, and I highly recommend it!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Haven Creek by Rochelle Alers

June 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment

HAVEN
Haven Creek by Rochelle Alers
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (392 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Home is where the heart is.

Architect Morgan Dane has always lived according to a plan, crossing off her achievements one by one. But when she’s offered her dream job-the restoration of historic Angels Landing Plantation on beautiful Cavanaugh Island-Morgan’s life takes an unexpected turn.

Carpenter Nathaniel Shaw once took a big chance on commitment-and lost. Needing the healing comforts of home, he returns to Haven Creek to join the family business. Nothing in the small town has changed-except for Morgan Dane. The wallflower he knew in high school has grown into a beautiful woman . . . and stirs feelings Nate isn’t sure he’s ready for.

Together Nate and Morgan find a happiness neither could have predicted. But when secrets from the past come to light, their budding relationship is threatened. Will they play it safe, or risk their hearts to build a life together?

Enticing and a pleasure to read, Haven Creek invites the reader in and entertains so well one doesn’t want to leave.
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A unique Gullah culture steeped in generations of nurturing makes Haven Creek on Cavanaugh Island a captivating place. As the reader is immersed in the juicy gossip, scrumptious food, old-south environment, and daily living along with the hopes and desires of the characters the rest of the world recedes.

Morgan Dane is a strong heroine who wants to give and receive love but is able to stand on her own. She knows her own self-worth without a man in her life. The love in her heart that has nestled down inside since she was fourteen-years-old bides its time while all kinds of events in life deny its coming into its own. “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” Morgan declares marriage and children must be postponed until she’s well established in her career. When Nathaniel Shaw (Nate) returns to Haven Creek devastated from a high profile marriage and divorce, Morgan has to reevaluate and decide what is possible for her future. Old hurts from school years still fuel her inhibitions with men and have led her to say she will never marry a boy from Cavanaugh Island.

The talented Nathaniel Shaw comes home a wealthy man with a strong, reliable work ethic, but he is emotionally crippled by his distrust of women. His step-mother and his ex-wife did a real number on him. He makes no secret of his intentions to never marry again. But Morgan stirs “licentious fantasies” in Nate. His loyalty and generosity are strong threads in this tapestry of a tale.

The side stories abound letting the reader see into the lives of the many secondary characters. They enrich the lives of Nate and Morgan. But, Rochelle Alers’ special writing style helps the reader enjoy the secondary characters and to relate to them in compelling ways. Some of the short back stories about them help the reader recall events in previous books in this series.

Haven Creek is a part of a series but stands alone beautifully. It lures the reader and invites in to stay a while with intriguing characters. It is a gentle moving story that lets love find its way through the tangles and troubles of life and the flaws of characters. It is a celebration of the unique Gullah culture.

Haven Creek is set in the low country of South Carolina with an ambience that Ms. Alers shows the reader in exquisite fashion with her realistic descriptions. It gives the reader a warm welcome and entertains with subtle, ever-changing, ever-maturing emotions that lead to a happy-ever-after.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,
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